Recruiting never stops and it’s easy to miss the top stories day-to-day. Recruiting analyst Greg Smith recaps all things Nebraska recruiting news, analysis and more so you never miss a thing.
The Huskers had a very productive June hosting official visitors. Almost 30 prospects came to Lincoln to see what the Huskers have to offer. The program has already landed five commitments that visited this summer. After a sluggish summer for the 2022 recruiting class, the team refocused on the strategy of hosting summer officials.
“I love June official visits. I think that the more time that the coaches can be around the kids and their families and spend time with them the better,” senior director of player personnel Vince Guinta said. “I think that’s huge. We’re able to be around our players because everywhere you go your current roster is gonna be there working out. A lot of them are taking summer school. So, they can still be around the players. All they need to do is look out that stadium, they kind of get a feel for it. Then with something Husker Vision has put together they can get a feel for the game.
“But you can’t replace the amount of time you can spend with kids.”
That strategy paid off for the Huskers so far. Nebraska front-loaded the month hosting the bulk of the visitors in the first two weekends of June. That went against conventional recruiting wisdom that says you always want to have the last visit for a prospect. Yet, later in month there was a lot of visit shuffling as players around the country committed. It was wise for the Huskers to get top targets to Lincoln early in the month.
The good news might not be over for the Huskers. There are many decisions that the Huskers will be involved in coming at the start of July.
There are a pair of skill position players set to announce decisions on July 2. Georgia wide receiver Barry Jackson and Georgia running back Dontavius Braswell will make their picks that day. Jackson has been trending in the direction of Nebraska since his official visit in June. The speedy wideout told Hail Varsity that Nebraska felt like home during that visit.
Braswell’s recruitment has been harder to forecast. There been a lot of debate behind the scenes for Nebraska if the team will take a running back this cycle. We’ve reported for weeks that the answer is yes if the Huskers can get the right prospect and the team views Braswell as the right prospect. His recruitment is wide open with Oregon, Boston College and Alabama rounding out his final four with Nebraska.
Offensive lineman Amir Herring has a decision date set for July 7 and the Huskers hosted him on June 3 too. Michigan has turned up the heat in his recruitment and seem poised to land him. Kansas City offensive lineman Cayden Green will announce on July 8. The Huskers are trying to make things interesting for him. Oklahoma and Missouri seem to have an inside track.
Don’t forget about prospects like linebackers Dylan Rogers and Phil Picciotti who could announce at any time. The start to July will be full of announcements involving Nebraska targets. I’d count on some fireworks for the Huskers.
Recruit Watch
>> Iowa got a huge piece of the 2023 recruiting class when 5-star offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor decided to stay home.
Been a long time coming, the wait is over. Hawkeye Nation you got my everything from the first day I get there. Let’s work 🙏🏾💕 I’m Home pic.twitter.com/nwYgCnSMFi
— Kadyn Proctor (KP) (@KadynProctor1) June 30, 2022
>> Check out Huskers linebacker target Phil Picciotti working on his game this offseason.
5 🌟 Phil Picciotti (#2) LB in 🇺🇸
Size, Physicality, Determination, Grit, Athleticism…. But most important is his WORK ETHIC!We work 2 Hr sessions and get after it @PhilPicciotti Keep Cookin pic.twitter.com/W4oQuJsqNS
— CoachJay – Elite 400 National Recruiting Expert (@CoachJayUConn) June 30, 2022
>> Here are some highlights from 2025 Bellevue East quarterback Mikey Gow’s latest 7-on-7 game.
Highlights from 7v7 today vs Omaha south! @SeanDillonNU @CoachXQuig @CoachJGordo @CoachThumann @BellevueEastFB @CoachJWatt @BleacherPreach4 @GalindoOsc12 @PrepRedzoneNE pic.twitter.com/6QUgGoVtoX
— Mikey Gow (@Mikeygow2308) June 30, 2022
ICYMI
>> North Dakota State transfer Sam Griesel is finding ways to make an impact on and off the court this summer.
>> Running back Anthony Grant is checking in at number 6 in Steve Marik’s most intriguing players for 2022.
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
